Tommie Hoban has been linked with some of the country’s biggest clubs this season but the Watford teenager is not getting carried away by speculation regarding his future.

The central defender only made his full senior debut in September but is receiving rave reviews in the Championship under Gianfranco Zola.

Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester United are among a number of Premier League clubs understood to be monitoring the 18-year-old’s progress.

But Hoban, who signed a new five-year contract in August, insists he is committed to Watford and focused on getting the Vicarage Road club into the Premier League.

He said: “It is very pleasing to hear that those clubs are interested in me but I cannot let any of that get to my head — that is the worst thing I could possibly do.

“I have to remain focused. Just because they have shown interest in me does not mean I am ready to go and play for one of those clubs.

“I have just got to take it as a compliment and keep working and then, maybe in a year or two, they could show some serious interest.

“But hopefully Watford will keep doing well, get promoted and then I will be playing against these types of teams regularly.”

Watford face Manchester City in the FA Cup third round at the Etihad Stadium tomorrow and Hoban is relishing an opportunity to impress at the highest level.

He said: “I am learning so much this season and I want to keep improving. I am looking forward to testing myself against Manchester City and hopefully it will bring out the best in me.

“It is probably the biggest game of my career so far, so naturally I am excited for it. Hopefully I will get many more opportunities to play against teams like this but I want to take and learn as much as I can from the experience.”

Hoban, a Republic of Ireland youth international who came through the ranks at Watford, did not feature under Sean Dyche last season and was loaned to non-league Wealdstone.

The short-term move proved hugely beneficial for his development and he has shown maturity beyond his tender years during 18 appearances this season.Hoban added: “For the manager to put his faith in me is very pleasing but I know I have got so much more to improve on.

“Although I have only been around the football club for a few years, I have seen how a player can have a really good six months and be talked about and let it go to their head and stop working as hard as they did in the first place.

“I cannot let that happen because I have still got so much further to go.”

Watford, who occupy the final Championship play-off spot, are mounting a serious promotion challenge but manager Zola insists the FA Cup remains a high priority this season.

Hoban said: “We are quietly confident and there is no reason why we cannot give them a really good game.”